Plano-based JCPenney becomes first retailer to earn Energy Star Award for Sustained Excellence in Energy Management

by PegNews wire

PLANO — JCPenney announced today that in recognition of its continued commitment to strategic energy management, JCPenney was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) with the ENERGY STAR Award for Sustained Excellence in Energy Management. The award will be presented at an ENERGY STAR awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 31.

"EPA is delighted to recognize JCPenney with the 2009 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence award,” said Kathleen Hogan, Director of the Climate Protection Partnerships Division at the U.S. EPA. “JCPenney’s leadership on energy efficiency has positively impacted their bottom line and our global environment, showing us all what can be accomplished through sustained commitment and action.”

JCPenney has been a member of the U.S. government’s ENERGY STAR program since 1999 and was honored as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year in 2007 and 2008. This year, JCPenney earned the prestigious Sustained Excellence Award – the first retailer to be so honored for its efforts in using energy efficiently in facility operations and integrating superior energy management into its overall organizational strategy. Award winners are selected from more than 12,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

Using the data and tools available through the ENERGY STAR program, JCPenney has improved energy efficiency throughout its operations. In 2008, the Company reduced energy use and comparable CO2 emissions across its building portfolio by more than 80 million pounds. JCPenney continues to implement energy conservation projects and engage its 150,000 Associates to seek out innovative ways to save energy.

“ENERGY STAR’s guidelines for superior energy management are integrated throughout our engineering and facility management operations,” said Michael Dastugue, JCPenney Senior Vice President and Director of Property Development. “The knowledge, benchmarks and best practices available through ENERGY STAR have helped us substantially improve energy efficiency, resulting in environmental and financial benefits.”

Source: JCPenney